Build on our platform

In 2008, we defied conventional wisdom by founding a venture capital firm in Los Angeles instead of Silicon Valley. Today, we’re investing from a $125 million fund and driving the ecosystem forward with innovative programs that support founders and their communities.

01

We’re partners—period

We’re committed to building companies together, not just writing checks. We are former founders, operators, lawyers, and executives and we aren’t afraid to roll up our sleeves.

Crosscut founders Rick Smith, Brian Garrett, and Brett Brewer were some of the first to see the city’s potential as a technology hub in 2008, one month before the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Many of the firm’s first investments went into extreme survival mode, but we weathered the Great Recession as true partners to our portfolio companies and eventually returned four times the original fund to LPs.

The proof of concept fund proved our first bet right: LA has what’s needed to support a thriving tech entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Investing in you

Not only do we support investments in personal development and wellness, we encourage it. That’s why when we partner with companies, we pledge our capital to fund bespoke programs that support our founders’ growth.

Whether it’s individualized coaching, subject matter boards, management training, or creating 360 reviews and developing your culture, we work with the best in business leadership to develop customized guidance for every step of your journey.

03

The expertise you need

When we don’t have the answers, someone in our networks will. Tap our deep roots in Los Angeles’ tech community to connect with founders, operators and industry experts who can help you grow.

Questions, meet answers. The Crosscut Collective is a curated, invite-only network of experts who help our companies tackle their toughest challenges. From engineering, product, and marketing to finance, PR, recruiting, sales, and everything in between, our Crosscut Collective has a wide range of industry and functional expertise. They love working with our portfolio, offering advice, consulting services, or even formalized advisory and employment relationships.

04

Our first great bet

In 2008, Crosscut set out to prove that Los Angeles could support a robust technology entrepreneurship ecosystem. Now, we’re the most established seed-stage venture capital fund in LA.

In 2008, we weathered the Great Recession alongside our earliest portfolio companies and eventually built market-defining companies during the worst of times. We proved LA could thrive, but more importantly, the recession taught us an important lesson: stick by your founders. It’s your vision that makes or breaks a company, and we’re there to support you, especially when things get rough.

05

How it played out

After years of building our community in LA, we empower our city with events that bring together its most inspiring innovators, operators, and creators. From flagship events welcoming newcomers to LA to roundtable dinners that we call Crosscut Conversations, our events bring together the changemakers that are building the future of the LA tech scene.

When you convene passionate people who are dedicated to making a lasting impact, great things happen. Whether it’s the Female Founders summits that we’ve been hosting since 2014 or our Welcome to LA event series for new Angelenos, our flagship events highlight the diversity and creativity that make LA so unique. Want to join our community? Reach out.